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LAFC managed to recover from a 2-goal deficit on Saturday, July 24, to draw against the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps, but the result seems far more like a loss.
Pictures by Luis Galvin
Coming into the match, LAFC were 5th in the Western Conference, while the Vancouver Whitecaps sat second-to-last. LAFC have also recently gained back the majority of their first team, with captain Carlos Vela seemingly back in top form after injury, and the return of Diego Palacios and Brian Rodriguez, the former on international duty and the latter on a short loan stint to Almeria. What's more, the home club has had an infusion of energy thanks to the addition of Korean international Kim Moon-Hwan.
Nevertheless, the Canadian visitors were the first to draw blood in the 25th minute as they capitalized on a cascade of defensive LAFC errors, giving the Whitecaps' Deiber Caicedo an easy tap-in into a wide-open net.
Before the close of the first half, the 'Caps Cristián Dájome capitalized on a set piece to exteend their lead to two, leaving many an LAFC fan speechless.
Two minutes later, the home team willed one back, with Colombian midfielder Eduard Atuesta feeding Vela a through-ball, and giving the captain his fifth goal of the season. Come second half, LAFC manager Bob Bradley made a handful of crucial substitutions, bringing in Diego Palacios for Marco Farfan, as well as Eddie Segura, Corey Baird, and Francisco Ginella. Palacios would go on to assist Jose Cifuentes in the 75th minute, for a goal that will surely be an MLS highlight of the week.
Despite coming back from a deficit to tie the game, LAFC will have wanted to do much better against a team ranked far below them. Some of it can be attributed to playing three games in 8 days, but with the current squad LAFC boast, including a strong bench of options, Bradley and staff will no doubt be running back the tape on this one.
Next Up:
LAFC v Minnesota United FC, Wed., July 28 @ 7:30p
Vancouver Whitecaps v. Minnesota United FC., Sat., July 31, 7:00p
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